Arts & Entertainment
 

Smith sings new hope

Songwriter brings music back to roots

By Bridget Brown
The Daily Cougar

At some point in the early 1990s, after the demise of the urban cowboy era, country music delved even deeper into pop music and the amalgamation dubbed "new country" was born. Artists started giving the old country formula a facelift. It was sped up, dumbed down, and although many of the themes seemed to stay the same, new ones were added.

Garth Brooks had "Friends in Low Places" and Alan Jackson had the "Chattahoochee," and that was enough to help excel country music to the most popular music format in America. But something was missing. Mainly, the perfect combination of heartache and pop exhibited by Nashville stars in earlier years like Patsy Cline.

But there may be hope for pure country fans with the resurgence of traditionalists who give the old golden sound the smallest modern twist. Forerunner Mindy Smith's debut album, One Moment More, is filled with the artist's twangy vocals and perfect blues arrangements that could help rid the charts of imposters.

Smith's songs draw from jazz, blues and acoustic bluegrass, and several could be considered fit for a number of genres.

"Come to Jesus" is traditional bluegrass, with almost eerie undertones and vocals that harmonize like the acts of the early 1900s.

She rediscovers the traditional country love song with "Falling" and the title track, "One Moment More."

"Trainsong" could easily be mixed into rotation on any golden country radio station without the listener giving it a second thought. Her clean voice displays the same ultimate heartache portrayed by many of country music's founders.

"Hard to Know" stands out as the only country-pop track on the album, but the steel guitars bring it quickly back down to its roots.

Smith started writing music upon moving to Knoxville, Tenn., after her mother's death. In 1998, she moved to Nashville to pursue a serious career. Her recording debut will be released on the coming Dolly Parton tribute album, on which she lent her voice to the track "Jolene."

Parton told Vanguard Records that she believes Smith will leave her mark as one of the greatest writers and singers. If Smith continues to stay true to her classic country roots she could help bring fans of new country back to the old school for good. Here's hoping.

Mindy Smith

One Moment More

Vanguard Records

The verdict: One of the best things to happen to country in more than a decade.

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